Shirlington House

Current Resident 833113

Resident • 2002

Definitely DO recommend

I have lived in various complexes in Alexandria and Arlington and like this place the best. It is convenient and the walls are nice and thick (I never hear the neighbors). i work downtown and the bus comes right out front for the Metro. I like the neighborhood and the people who live here (professionals). The apartment is a decent size for the price and they allow cats. The kitchen and bathroom are outdated and not too stylish, but functional. I haven´t lived here long enough for a rent increase, so can´t speak to that.

Current Resident 870406

Resident • 2001 - 2002

Poor Value for Money

Stalinist older apartment building with fewer ameneties and less metro access (bus to Penatgon) is not kept up as nicely (peeling paint, lights dim and out in halls) as other buildings of a similar age, but in much nicer areas with direct metro access(Riverhouse-Pentagon City metro). Ventilation and plumbing systems also contribute to building smell. Only one elevator for all moving within this huge building, and 1/2 of building faces 395, with associated noise problems. Inconvenient outdated Key card (credit card type) required for secured entry, (instead of datawatch "key" that fits on key chain), but only at night. Monthly Premium on short term leases, (instead of one time fee like other apartments), no subletting allowed, no tennis courts, building vacuum, no incentive to renew lease, prices are out of proportion to what you are getting. Check out a condo rental in closeby and much nicer Fairlington (pools and tennis courts), or any other rental building in or near Shirlington that is not managed by SH´s management. There is a reason Shirlington House always has immediate openings!

Current Resident 888603

Resident • 2002

Poor management

Office staff was extremely friendly and helpful until the lease was signed. Once the committment was made they were unwilling to show any flexibility. Management made an error in collecting fees but accepted no responsibility for the mistake. They offered only 12 hours for me to rectify their mistake with a threat of changing the locks.

Current Resident 894183

Resident • 2000 - 2002

Great place -- I recommend it!

I am about to move out of Shirlington House as a result of a job transfer. I have been very happy here -- it is very well maintained building, the apartments are spaciousm and the staff friendly and efficient. I have no hesitation in recommending the place.

Current Resident 987276

Resident • 1995 - 2002

Enjoyed living here

I´ve lived here 6.5 years in 2 different apartments, a studio apt. and 1BR. Loved 1st apt, having a few maintenance problems in 2nd. Closet space is fantastic. No noise from neighbors. Nice hardwood floors. Great location: safe; immediate highway access, short bus ride to metro 7 days a week; post office, shops, restaurants & theater in walking distance. Popular bike trail nearby. Large pool usually not crowded. Private garage parking, usually adequate visitor parking on street. Convenient mini-mart. Cat friendly. <br> <br><br><br>Switch to cards from coin-operated laundry machines is annoying because machine won´t take small bills, but many apt. complexes in the area are doing the same. Smells in halls are usually nice cooking smells. Office hours change frequently and aren´t always convenient. Maintenance staff is responsive but problem doesn´t always get fixed the first time, partly because front desk staff don´t always explain the problem well in the work order. Management responsiveness blows hot & cold, front desk people usually nice. Mail returned cuz in the wrong box is postal service´s error, not management´s. Used to be all utils included; now Mgt. company (not building staff) set up obnoxious <br>pay-by-the-square-foot policy on water util., so people in larger apartments get charged extra, not apartments with multiple tenants using more water. Condition of apartments varies (some need more maintenance). Halls well-lit & quiet, if utilitarian looking.<br> <br><br>Rent increases around $25/yr. except this year ($50). Rent average for 395 corridor, but $200-$300 lower than most of Arlington. Get a lot more space for your money here than in most buildings. In pretty good shape for an old building, but management is slow about bringing in improvements. Recent improvements have been to outdoor lighting, access cards, laundry rooms, lobby. Overall, I think it´s a nice place if you like older buildings or the Shirlington locaton.

Current Resident 9410

Resident • 2002

Awful Management!

The location is great! the price is average for the location, a convience store in the basement, and the apartments are spacious and the maintaence staff is on-call 24-7 and responds ASAP. <br> <br>However, the staff have no clue what they are doing, if they can understand your English, policies can change on a whim (i.e.- eliminating guest parking, replacing coin washers with card washers where the card has to be "refilled" with $5 and $10 bills ONLY and only in the lobby, a seperate rent check for each tenant is ok until they decided to fine you one month without notification), the building SMELLS constantly, to get out of your lease you must pay a hefty $700 fine AND find someone to live in your apartment without Shirlingon´s help, you can only use the freight elevator at certain times even though it hurts noone to move in a bed you just bought at 7pm on a sunday night, make sure all of your friends and relatives put your apartment number on your mail or Shirlington will send it back to the post office rather than take 2 mins. to match your name with the list they have of apartment renters. <br> <br>Overall, just total pain and un-flexible. Spend the extra money and live next door at the Windsor, nicer management and same great location!

Current Resident 135456

Resident • 1999 - 2001

Don´t recommend

Have you ever lived in a hi-rise where instead of increasing the air ventilation in the hallways to eliminate odors, management installs bathroom deodorizers in every hallway to mask the odors? Walk down the hall and hear the squirt of deodorizer into the air? This may give you some idea of the management´s way of thinking.

Current Resident 215529

Resident • 1998 - 2001

I definitely do NOT recommend

I have been living here for a 4 years now and never gave them any problems but raising the rent everytime there is new management? what is this all about? They been under several new ownership for the years that I have been living there, talk bout not knowing how to run an apartment. Anyhow I would not recommend anyone from VA/MD/DC/or anywhere in the U.S to relocate to this apartment complex, there are plenty of other places you can find. Do not go to this one, you´ll just waste your money.

Current Resident 261161

Resident • 1999 - 2001

Buy a house - it´s cheaper than living here!

Seriously... I also lived here for 2 years. I loved the short commute to work but the price increase nearly killed me. I decided that a mortgage was probably cheaper - and, it is!!!

Current Resident 268694

Resident • 1999 - 2001

HUGE rent increase!

Very nice maint. and front desk staff - however, they are not the decision makers. RAISING rent 23% is BOGUS. After 2 years of being a problem free tenant, rent paid on time and wanting to stay another 6-12 months before relocating... decided not to give them another dime and bought a house right away. Now, they have to turn the place around - go empty for a bit AND have me bad mouth them to otherwise potential tenants. <br>Their loss - our gain!